It appears the Edmonton Oilers are not ready to give up on their version of the French connection.

The team is expected to announce today the re-signing of forwards Marc Pouliot and J.F. Jacques. Both were restricted free agents.

Pouliot, 23, was the Oilers first pick (22nd overall) in the 2003 NHL entry draft.

However, he has yet to crack the Oilers lineup on a full time basis. Last season the Quebec City native started the year on the NHL roster, but was shipped to the Oilers farm team in Springfield 15 games into the season. There, the six-foot-two, 200-pound centre scored 21 goals and added 26 assists in 55 games, finishing second in team scoring to Rob Schremp who had 76 points in 78 games.

Pouliot returned to Edmonton for the final 15 games of the season where he scored a goal and picked up six assists, accounting for all of his scoring with the Oilers.

A former junior standout, Pouliot scored 45 goals and added 69 assists in his final year with the Rimouski Oceanic as Sidney Crosby's linemate.

Unlike Crosby, however, Pouliot has been unable to translate that success to the professional level.

He has six goals and 13 assists in 78 games in parts of three seasons with the Oilers.

Jacques, 23, from Montreal, was the Oilers second pick (68th overall) in the 2003 draft.

In three years the six-foot-four, 217-pound winger has played a total of 53 games in the NHL, but has yet to record a point.

Last season he started in Edmonton then was sent down to Springfield where he scored 11 goals and added 14 assists in 38 games.

Jacques's season came to a premature end when he injured his back during a fight. He returned to Edmonton in order to rehab the injury.